Can Someone Have Complex Ptsd After One Traumatic Incident?

[Throughthickandthin]

If a person experienced sexual abuse at around 14/15 for a period of time. Could it cause him to have complex ptsd?

I found out a while ago that my husband was sexually abused by a teacher. And that it went on for a few months. Shortly after this he moved to another school and would get bullied a lot for being "too gay". He seemed to socially avoid everyone and isolate himself but he wasn't shy just really emotionless. Which was when I first met him. At this point it seemed he showed Many characteristics to complex ptsd.

I'm just wondering what the difference between ptsd and complex ptsd are? If someone didn't have abuse like for years would it still be possible that's what they're suffering from? Also what treatment is available?

 

[Deleted member 20280]

In one word, yes. Survival of a trauma can manifest itself later in life because the victim represses the event through guilt, shame, rage or many other emotional connection with that specific event.

I was abused and sexually abused as a teen myself. Diagnosed only last year after a period of nearly 30 years.

PTSD can develop at any stage of life.

Complex PTSD is still not officially recognised yet is a term used by many diagnosing physicians. There is also delayed onset PTSD to consider.

As far as information on PTSD and it's effects and treatments go, simply trawling this site, reading other peoples threads and the articles will help both of you with your recovery. I say this because PTSD affects not only the sufferer but close loved ones and those around us.

Sending :hug:s for both of you if you accept them.

Laurie

 

[Intrepid]

One event is quite enough. The trauma echoes though your life.

I had multiple events. I didn't recognize any trauma until I was 27. I was able until then to sedate and forget using alcohol. (Not recommended.) Since then they've come to light one by one.

I read a little on CPTSD, and can't tell the difference between that and PTSD. I think adding the "complex" is a marketing too. But I may be wrong.

 

[digger]

sexual abuse at around 14/15 for a period of time.

Sexual abuse over a period of time isn't one traumatic incident.

 

[Kintsugi]

"Complex PTSD" is PTSD like "combat PTSD" and "secondary PTSD" are PTSD. The term "complex" is merely an adjective attached to the actual diagnosis (PTSD) that helps define the scope or origin of trauma.

Multiple traumas over time is, well, multiple trauma.

If a reoccuring trauma was seen as a single trauma, complex PTSD would be a completely worthless term. Complex PTSD is typically used to describe trauma wherein the victim lived in some sort of totalitarian system (think cults, abusive parents, mine was my brother) or was otherwise included ongoing, enduring trauma. A kidnapping victim held hostage, people trafficked for sex... these are all examples of trauma that reoccurred over time. Although I usually see complex PTSD used to describe childhood trauma sufferers, I would imagine it's also applicable to people like first responders, miliatary servicepeople who serve several terms, etc.

Regardless, the diagnosis itself does not change. It's PTSD. The features assigned to "complex PTSD" are simply exaggerated in some places or follow a sort of classic pattern the same way that those with combat PTSD typically express certain features of PTSD symptoms that follow a similar pattern among those trauma survivors.

 

[Seagreen]

I'd never heard of Complex PTSD until recently. Based on what I've read, PTSD can occur after an isolated traumatic experience, or as a result of multiple traumatic experiences. The term, Complex PTSD is used to describe PTSD that has occurred because of continuous traumas which, happened frequently over a period of time and were perceived as unescapable by the victim. Some examples would include, growing up in an abusive home or being a prisoner of war. I'm not sure if Complex PTSD is a commonly used term but there may be some additional symptoms that go along with it. So maybe the definition is useful as a reference for professionals.
I Iiked this explanation:
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[Justmehere]

Yes, the trauma you describe would likely be considered complex trauma and lead to development of PTSD.

Complex PTSD is not an officially recognized diagnosis in the DSM 5 or any other standardized listing of mental health conditions. This makes it hard to explain the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD. The current most commonly suggested descriptions of complex PTSD suggest complex PTSD is PTSD plus borderline personality disorder or dissociative identity disorder. There are other descriptions too, like the ones posted above.

What you describe certainly would qualify as complex trauma.

The bullying likely compounded things event more. It's quite common for bullies and predators to pick on someone who has already been victimized - even when the bully or predator doesn't know the person has been previously victimized.

PTSD can show up decades after trauma. The fact that he was so emotionless when you met him indicates he probably has been suffering all this time. Without treatment, unmanaged PTSD symptoms can last an entire lifetime.

In the end, it is best to leave the official diagnosing up to the professionals - but it is great you are here and asking questions to find out more about PTSD and what your husband is possibly dealing with.

As far as treatment, there are a handful of forms of trauma treatment options that can usually reduce symptoms and increase quality of life significantly. It is usually best of the supporter gets support of their own too.

 

[Eleanor]

I'd echo what the others have said, and add that the best help is therapy - with supportive medication (but medication is just a crutch, the treatment is therapy and your husband's efforts to heal.) When you look for a therapist try to find someone who specializes in trauma, and if you can find someone who specializes in developmental trauma that might be even better. Depending on where you are and what kind of insurance you have or don't have, you may want to prepare to shop around. Interview therapists - say what the problem is, ask if the therapist has experience treating that, ask what their approach/strategy is, and then ask how long it takes in their experience. You'll have a pretty good read after those answers. Most therapists are willing to talk some (at least over the phone) without getting paid for it.

Best wishes for both of you...

 

[Kintsugi]

@Justmehere makes an important distinction I neglected, which is that "complex PTSD" is really just PTSD that develops out of complex trauma.

Two thumbs up as well for explaining the likelihood of comorbidity.

 

[Throughthickandthin]

"Complex PTSD" is PTSD like "combat PTSD" and "secondary PTSD" are PTSD. The term "complex" is merely an adjective attached to the actual diagnosis (PTSD) that helps define the scope or origin of trauma.

Multiple traumas over time is, well, multiple trauma.

If a reoccuring trauma was seen as a single trauma, complex PTSD would be a completely worthless term. Complex PTSD is typically used to describe trauma wherein the victim lived in some sort of totalitarian system (think cults, abusive parents, mine was my brother) or was otherwise included ongoing, enduring trauma. A kidnapping victim held hostage, people trafficked for sex... these are all examples of trauma that reoccurred over time. Although I usually see complex PTSD used to describe childhood trauma sufferers, I would imagine it's also applicable to people like first responders, miliatary servicepeople who serve several terms, etc.

Regardless, the diagnosis itself does not change. It's PTSD. The features assigned to "complex PTSD" are simply exaggerated in some places or follow a sort of classic pattern the same way that those with combat PTSD typically express certain features of PTSD symptoms that follow a similar pattern among those trauma survivors.

"Complex PTSD" is PTSD like "combat PTSD" and "secondary PTSD" are PTSD. The term "complex" is merely an adjective attached to the actual diagnosis (PTSD) that helps define the scope or origin of trauma.

Multiple traumas over time is, well, multiple trauma.

If a reoccuring trauma was seen as a single trauma, complex PTSD would be a completely worthless term. Complex PTSD is typically used to describe trauma wherein the victim lived in some sort of totalitarian system (think cults, abusive parents, mine was my brother) or was otherwise included ongoing, enduring trauma. A kidnapping victim held hostage, people trafficked for sex... these are all examples of trauma that reoccurred over time. Although I usually see complex PTSD used to describe childhood trauma sufferers, I would imagine it's also applicable to people like first responders, miliatary servicepeople who serve several terms, etc.

Regardless, the diagnosis itself does not change. It's PTSD. The features assigned to "complex PTSD" are simply exaggerated in some places or follow a sort of classic pattern the same way that those with combat PTSD typically express certain features of PTSD symptoms that follow a similar pattern among those trauma survivors.

He doesn't really act like it was all that traumatic. He didn't even tell me about it. A relative mentioned it and said he was in the hospital for days after the last time and refused to say anything about the whole situation. When we have talked about that he said it was consensual and that people made a big deal out of nothing. And denied he was ever physically injured as if he didn't remember anything.

In one word, yes. Survival of a trauma can manifest itself later in life because the victim represses the event through guilt, shame, rage or many other emotional connection with that specific event.

I was abused and sexually abused as a teen myself. Diagnosed only last year after a period of nearly 30 years.

PTSD can develop at any stage of life.

Complex PTSD is still not officially recognised yet is a term used by many diagnosing physicians. There is also delayed onset PTSD to consider.

As far as information on PTSD and it's effects and treatments go, simply trawling this site, reading other peoples threads and the articles will help both of you with your recovery. I say this because PTSD affects not only the sufferer but close loved ones and those around us.

Sending :hug:s for both of you if you accept them.

Laurie

he has always had symptoms. But I always thought he just had a personality disorder or flaw of some sort. But I read that it can seem like bpd or asp or dissociation.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

The distinction between what constitutes Complex PTSD and PTSD with Complex Trauma Issue's will be a talking point between diagnosing professional's and ourselves here as sufferers for years to come. At the end of the day I survived numerous trauma's of nearly all possible factor's:-

1) Child Abuse, neglect, beating's and sexual assaults over a 15 year period.

2) Near Death survival, 4 unsuccessful Suicide attempts (aged 18 - 22 - 32 - 42) Involved in a head on car crash 2001 (January)

3) Military Trauma (between late 1989 and 1990) I have totally blocked this one out and remember nearly nothing.

At the end of the day PTSD is simply put, just that PTSD. It really does not matter whether a sufferer has had one single trauma on a single occasion or numerous prolonged trauma's over a long period of time. If we both broke our leg's in the same accident, differing physical factors would impact on our level of injury and length of recovery.

We, IMHO really do need to see the fact that the same injury physically take different courses to recover from. The same as differing levels of psychological injury will impact on, level of psychological injury and differing time for recovery.

We all react differently to trauma the same as our bodies react differently to physical injury.

Laurie.

 

[Kintsugi]

Dissociation is a behavior/coping mechanism classic to PTSD. DID is a little different. But dissociation is a symptom of PTSD itself as well.

Not acting "like it was all that traumatic" is pretty typical as well.

My partner (before we really knew each other) thought I was borderline for a couple weeks, then realized something else was up.